Thank You, Theta Volunteers!

We want to take an extra moment to say “thank you!” to you, our workforce volunteers, for all of the time, talent, energy, and love you devote to Kappa Alpha Theta. Kappa Alpha Theta would not be the organization it is today without you and your sister volunteers. During this Volunteer Appreciation Week, be sure to thank one another for the love you share for Theta and the meaningful friendships and exceptional bonds you’ve developed together. You are so special to us, this week and every week. Thank you.

Epsilon Nu/Virginia Tech Re-installation

The Epsilon Nu Chapter at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University was originally installed in 1983 and was on campus through 2003. Last weekend, Kappa Alpha Theta re-installed the chapter, welcoming Epsilon Nu home. Thank you to the installation team members who volunteered their time to make this weekend so special for our 168 newest Thetas!

• Fraternity President Laura Doerre
• Fraternity Vice President Kathy Schweer
• FHC President Mary Jane Beach
• Foundation Trustee Aimee Forsythe
• Fraternity Music Coordinator Liz Weiss
• Fraternity volunteer Justine Rosenberg
• Fraternity volunteer Kaitlyn Luppino

Program Updates

As part of the Fraternity’s Plan of Aspirations, we aim to focus resources on education and programs that offer the greatest value to members. After researching programming best practices and collecting and reviewing multiple data sources, certain programs were eliminated or revised.

• GreekLifeEdu, our online alcohol program, will be eliminated at the conclusion of the current academic year.
• Alcohol Skills Training Program will be expanded with the goal to offer it to each chapter once every four years.
• Service trips were revised; we will no longer partner with Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values (AFLV) and we will write our own curriculum. Based on feedback and trip learning outcomes, we will reduce the number of participants on each trip.

Volunteer Development Process

As you may remember, last year we implemented an annual volunteer evaluation process for standing committee chairmen and their committees. The process is designed to meet four goals:

1. To add value to the volunteer experience through opportunities for personal development and growth,
2. To provide a platform to formally recognize volunteers for the good work they have done throughout the year,
3. To allow volunteers the opportunity to step down if they are no longer interested in serving, and
4. To facilitate volunteer growth if they are interested in serving in another capacity.

At the conclusion of the process, a survey was sent to all who participated in the self-reflection process and another survey was sent to staff managers and committee chairmen regarding the logistics of the process. Overall, the process was well-received with 86 percent agreeing/strongly agreeing that they appreciated the opportunity to be evaluated by their staff manager and/or committee chairman and 76 percent agreeing/strongly agreeing that it was a worthwhile experience. However, while some loved the process as is, many felt that it was too “corporate” and seemed too much like a formal performance review for a job.

Taking feedback from the survey and input from the Plan of Aspirations workforce member engagement strategy workgroup, we are implementing changes to this year’s process. The changes are outlined below.

1. Name Change: Instead of calling it an “evaluation,” it will be titled the “volunteer development process” to better reflect the objective of personal development and opportunity for growth in the volunteer role.
2. Timing: The new process will be tied to the date of the volunteer’s appointment to her current volunteer role and will offer an opportunity to reflect on the past year of her volunteer experience.
3. Volunteer Coaching: We will be providing resources and encouraging staff managers and/or committee chairmen to focus on ongoing coaching (addressing performance issues when they arise and offering recognition and appreciation throughout the year) versus a one-time formalized performance appraisal phone call. Coaching resources will be available to all workforce members to use with the volunteers with whom they interact.
4. Shortened Self-Reflection: (from 10 questions to five) to focus on areas that scored highest when asked which parts were the most enriching.
   • Additional support needed
   • Goal setting for upcoming year
   • Long-term volunteer aspirations
   • Ranking performance in the various categories
   • Accomplishments from past year
5. Optional Volunteer Feedback Call: Many volunteers believed the one-on-one call with their staff manager and/or committee chairman was the most valuable part of the process. They appreciated the opportunity to have a discussion focused on accomplishments, goals, and areas for improvement while not distracted with other volunteer work.
6. 360 Degree Review of Committee Chairman: Although committee members appreciated the opportunity to offer feedback on their committee chairman, we determined it did not need to be conducted annually. Instead, it will take place every three years to coincide with committee chairman appointment/re-appointment.

Beginning May 1, volunteers will begin receiving emails with a link to the self-reflection form on the date of their appointment anniversary. They will be asked to complete the self-reflection within two weeks. Once it has been submitted, each staff manager will reach out to schedule a 15- to 20-minute voluntary call for feedback between each volunteer and her staff manager and/or committee chairman.

Initially we planned to expand this process to all Theta volunteers within three years. Because of potential changes to technology due to the Plan of Aspirations, we will hold off on rolling it out beyond the initial group of volunteers. Instead, we will focus our efforts on offering resources to help all volunteers lead and coach the volunteers they supervise.

Social Media Snapshot

It’s Volunteer Appreciation Week! To the many volunteers reading this message, thank you for all you do for Theta. Our sisterhood could not exist without you! Please take a minute to watch our special Volunteer Appreciation Week video. And if you work with a Theta volunteer, please take a minute to express your appreciation this week. Post to social media using #ThetaThanks.

International Denim Day is tomorrow, and Theta will again join the fight against rape culture. Let’s show our support for sexual assault survivors and send the message that there is never an excuse for sexual violence. Don’t forget to wear denim and share a photo to social media using #DenimDay2017 and #EndRapeCulture. Be sure to tag Theta in the photo on Facebook and Instagram.

Recent Theta Blogs

• Why I Am a Theta Advisor
• 4 Ways to Prioritize Your Health
• Bettie and Her Family: Carole Cones-Bradfield, 1949-2016

Helpful Links

• Upcoming Important Dates and Visits
• Previous Updates